THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2010

Death Certificates are one of my favorite sources for information about an ancestor. Not only can you find their date of death, date of birth, last residence, and parentage but also their cause of death. This little fact can sometimes solve or start a mystery. Take for example my great grandfather John Wesley Tracy. My father had heard that he died in a hunting accident. After ordering his death certificate and obituary I found that he had died of a massive heart attack while sighting a rabbit with his rifle. He was hunting and I guess it was an accident but not what my dad thought all these years. No big deal but kind of interesting nonetheless. You could make a great story for the fact that it was the beginning of the depression and times were tough for farmers but the reality is he died of a heart attack; happens all the time; the only thing interesting is that he was about to shoot a rabbit. I wonder if the rabbit understood its great luck that day? Then there was the curious coincidence between my great grandfather Charles Gotcher and his father Daniel Gotcher’s cause of death. No big deal if they both died of a hereditary disease but no, they both died of a fractured skull. Charles in an auto accident and Daniel in a Steel Rail accident. It was probably just a coincidence but an interesting one.
I just like that Death Certificates give me a little more insight into my family history.

Okay, so either Uncle Larry taught me to stick out my tongue at that time or it is hereditary. I have stuck out my tongue when I’m thinking my entire life; as evidenced by this picture. So, Larry, did you teach me this embarrassing habit or was I born with it?

The first one is from her high school sweetheart and my grandpa. When questioned he couldn’t remember what “Amote” meant but after some research I found that it was latin and meant a very stong love (like a punch to the chest). Strong feelings grandpa. The next one is from grandma’s cousin Donna, who became my grandma several years after my grandma Jean died. And the last autograph is by my grandma herself. I never realized what a sense of humor my grandma had. She was a popular girl at her very small school and she stayed popular throughout her life. I would contribute that to the fact that she was genuinely interested in people.

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About Rosanna Ward

Rosanna is a devoted mother of four children, two of which are homeschool graduates. She currently homeschools her 11 and 6 year old sons. Rosanna is a homeschool graduate and a graduate of Oral Roberts University: She grew up in Tulsa and has been homeschooling here for the past eleven years. Rosanna has loved family history for as long as she can remember and love genealogy for the stories of her ancestors.

5 Responses to Porting over from the blog I got locked out of.

Rosanna, just love the findings and appreciate your research and sharing. How does one subscribe to your blog? Also, never noticed an obituary for Maria Sophia Rusler Tracy. Do you have a copy of that? That would be your Grandmother Mabel’s mother – wife of John Wesley.
Thank you so much!!! Oh, I was just at the Mormon Genealogical Library with a friend and was told that next January, all their records will be available and free to the public. They are tweaking the sites now.
Jeanette Tracy Kahl

On my page when I am logged into wordpress there is a button on the top left that says follow. Not sure how it works if you don’t have a wordpress account. I will check though that is kind of important. Thanks. I have Maria
Sophia’s obit but it is just one of those, she died and who her relatives are kind of obits – nothing very personal. I have heard of familysearch.org site being totally revamped and they have always been free. Can’t wait to check out what they have added.

I am thrilled to find your internet site. I have the same Tracy heritage down to John Edward. I have been having a grand time looking for information about our Tracy’s. You have answered some of my questions. Your work is very impressive. Thank you for sharing what you have learned. My grandfather was Bryce Dilworth Tracy. I have some information, pictures, and my dad’s report cards. Guess who his teacher was? I also have a story about John Wesley’s heart attack. I would love to correspond with you.